Kit For Storing And Organizing Carrier Sheets Containing Adhesive Segments

ABSTRACT

A kit for storing and organizing sheets of adhesive segments includes a storage member that has at least a first pocket and a second pocket. The kit also includes at least a first carrier sheet of adhesive segments and a second carrier sheet of adhesive segments which are removably stored within the first and second pockets, respectively.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/728,582, filed on Oct. 20, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to kits for organizing and storing carrier sheets containing adhesive segments, preferably pressure-sensitive adhesive segments, deposited thereon As an alternative to using hot melt adhesives dispensed by a hot clue gun, hobbyists, including professional hobbyists and home craft artists, particularly those involved in scrapbooking, commonly use pressure-sensitive adhesive segments disposed on a carrier tape or release liner. The pressure-sensitive adhesive segments are arranged on the carrier tape in a manner that allows a person to apply adhesive to an object, such as a photograph or an embellishment, simply by contacting one or several of the pressure-sensitive adhesive segments with the object. The pressure-sensitive adhesive segment will remain adhered to the object and will release from the carrier tape upon moving the object in a direction away from the carrier tape. The object with the pressure-sensitive adhesive segment adhered thereto may now be attached to a second object. For example, when used for scrapbooking, pressure-sensitive adhesive segments may be used to adhere a picture or embellishment to a display medium, such as a scrapbooking page or a poster board.

Pressure-sensitive adhesive segments are supplied in various shapes and sizes. The size and shape of the adhesive segment used on a particular object depends on the size and shape of that object and the medium to which the object is to be attached. Typically, the adhesive segments are supplied on rolls of carrier tape wherein each roll of carrier tape contains a plurality of adhesive segments of the same shape and size. Thus, if one is working on a project that requires adhesive segments of various shapes and sizes, one would need a separate roll of carrier tape for each type of adhesive segment required. When a person desires to use an adhesive segment of a particular shape and size, the person must go through the burdensome task of digging through the various rolls of carrier tape to find the adhesive segment of the desired shape and size. Additionally, if the person attends a scrapbooking or photograph cropping event, the person must inconveniently transport all of the different rolls of carrier tape containing the adhesive segments of the desired shapes and sizes.

Therefore, there remains a need for a portable device for conveniently storing and organizing adhesive segments disposed on a carrier sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to kits for storing and organizing carrier sheets containing adhesive segments, preferably pressure-sensitive adhesive segments, deposited thereon. In one embodiment, the kit comprises a carrying or storage member and a plurality of carrier sheets containing pressure-sensitive adhesive segments. The storage member includes at least two compartments or Storage pockets for storing and organizing the carrier sheets. The storage member is also preferably compact, for easy portability, and transparent so that the user can quickly discern the contents within the pockets of the storage member. The storage member may also include some type of indicate, for example color, to indicate to the user the type of adhesive. i e. permanent or repositionable, stored within the storage member.

Each of the carrier sheets preferably includes a characteristic or feature that differentiates the carrier sheet from the other carrier sheets within the kit. For example, in one preferred embodiment, each of the carrier sheets carries a plurality of pressure-sensitive adhesive segments of a particular size and shape that is different from the size and shape of the pressure-sensitive adhesive segments carried by the other carrier sheets within the kit. Each of the pockets of the storage member holds and stores one of the carrier sheets. When the user desires to use a certain type of adhesive segment, the user can look at the see-through storage member and quickly discern which pocket contains the desired adhesive segment. The user removes the carrier sheet from that pocket, uses the adhesive segment and returns the carrier sheet back to the pocket.

A primary object or aspect of the present invention is to provide a kit for convenient storage and organization of carrier sheets carrying adhesive segments.

Another object or aspect of the present invention is to provide a compact kit that can be easily transported.

Another object or aspect of the present invention is to provide a kit wherein the different carrier sheets of adhesive segments are quickly and easily identifiable.

Another object or aspect of the present invention is to provide a lit including a storage member which has some type of indicate that identifies the type of adhesives within the storage member.

These and other desired benefits of the invention, including combinations of features thereof, will become apparent from the following description. It will be understood, however, that a device could still appropriate the claimed invention without accomplishing each and every one of these desired benefits, including those gleaned from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of a kit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage member illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the storage member illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of one of the carrier sheets illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the carrier sheet of FIG. 4 shown in a partially folded configuration.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a kit of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the storage member illustrated in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 generally illustrates one embodiment of a kit of the present invention. The kit 10 comprises a storage member or pouch 12 that is preferably constructed from a flexible material, such as a flexible plastic. The storage member 12 includes at least two pockets or compartments for the storage and organization of carrier sheets carrying adhesive segments. Illustratively, the storage member 12 of FIGS. 1-3 has a first pocket 14, a second pocket 16 and a third pocket 18.

As shown, the second pocket 16 is located in front of the first pocket 14, and the third pocket 18 is located in front of the second pocket 16. If desired, the storage member could include more than the three illustrated pockets, and preferably, each consecutive pocket would be located in front of the previous pocket. In one preferred embodiment, pocket 14 is larger than pocket 16 in at least one dimension, and pocket 16 is larger than pocket 18 in at least one dimension. The pockets 14, 16 and 18 can be sized and positioned so that the pockets are in a tiered layout, and the size or depth of each pocket is smaller than the size of the preceding pocket from the first pocket 14 to the third pocket 18. For example, referring to FIG. 1, pocket 16 has a depth equal to the length of C which is smaller than the depth of pocket 14 that has a depth equal to the length of B, and pocket 18 has a depth equal to the length of D that is smaller than the depth of pocket 16.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the storage member 12 is comprised of a plurality of panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 which are superimposed or layered one on top of another to form pockets 14, 16 and 18. A first or back panel 20 has a first length A, and a second or intermediate panel 22 has a second length B which is shorter than the first length A. The second panel 22 is superim-posed over the first panel 20. The first panel 20 and the second panel 22 are attached to each other alone a bottom edge 21 and along opposed side edges 23 and 25 of the storage member to define pocket 14 therebetween. The third or other intermediate panel 24 has a third length C which is shorter than the second length B. The third panel 24 is superimposed over the second panel 22. The third panel 24 is attached to the second panel 22 along the bottom edge 21 and along opposed side edges 23 and 25 of the storage member 12 to define pocket 16 therebetween. The fourth or top panel 26 has a fourth length D which is shorter than the third length C. The fourth panel 26 is superimposed over the third panel 24. The fourth panel 26 is attached to the third panel 24 along bottom edge 21 and along opposed side edges 23 and 25 of the storage member 12 to define pocket 18 therebetween.

The kit 10 also includes at least two carrier sheets carrying a plurality of adhesive segments, preferably pressure-sensitive adhesive segments. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the kit 10 includes a first carrier sheet 34, a second carrier sheet 36 and a third carrier sheet 38. For illustrative purposes, the first carrier sheet 34 includes adhesive strips 40, the second carrier sheet 36 includes adhesive micro-squares 42 and the third carrier sheet 38 includes adhesive squares 44. Preferably, each of the carrier sheets 34, 36 and 38 has a characteristic or feature which is different from the other carrier sheets within the kit. For example, the carrier sheets 34, 36 and 38 of the illustrated embodiment each carry a plurality of adhesive segments that are of a particular size and shape which is different from the shape and size of the adhesive segments located on the other sheets. However, the differing characteristic or feature between each of the carrier sheets need not be only related to the dimensions of the adhesive segments. It is contemplate that the carrier sheets could differ in other ways, such as in the strength or level of tackiness of the adhesive segments, or in the pattern of the adhesive segments on the carrier sheet.

In an alternative embodiment a kit 10 a can include a storage member 12 a that has a cover or dust cover 27. The cover 27 can cover and protect the adhesive from coming into contact with dust or other particulates, and reduces the risk of accidental bonding of the pressure-sensitive adhesive stored within the storage member to items located adjacent the storage member. The cover 27 preferably comprises a flap which can be integral with the first or back panel 20. The cover 27 can be moved between a closed position (FIG. 6) and an open position (FIG. 7) by folding and unfolding the cover over the front of the storage member 12 a. When the cover 27 is integral with first panel 20, a crease or weakened area 29 (FIG. 7) between the first panel 20 and cover 27 allows the cover to fold over the front of the storage member 12 a into the closed position. Preferably, the cover 27 releasibly attaches to the fourth or front panel 26 of the storage member 12 a to secure the cover in a closed position. In one embodiment, the storage member 12 a could be made out of a plasticized polyvinl chloride or other polar flexible polymers. Preferably, the polarity of the polymer is such that the cover 27 and the fourth panel 26 are attracted to each other so that the cover is releasably secured to the fourth panel to maintain the cover in the closed position. In another alternative embodiment, the cover 27 could be releasibly secured in the closed position by a hook and loop fastener or by a band of material extending across the front of the storage member 12 a from edge 25 to edge 23.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate one embodiment of a carrier sheet that can be included in kit 10. The carrier sheet 38 preferably is comprised of a plastic film or laminated paper coated with a suitable release agent, such as silicone. The adhesive segments, in this case adhesive squares 44, are removably adhered to carrier sheet 38. A cover sheet 46 coated with a suitable release agent is placed over the carrier sheet 38 and the adhesive squares 44 to cover and protect the adhesive squares 44. The carrier sheet 38 and the cover sheet 46 have differential release properties such that the adhesive squares 44 will remain adhered to the one of the carrier sheet 38 or the cover sheet when the cover sheet 46 is separated from the carrier sheet 38.

The carrier sheet 38 may also include perforations 48 which allow portions of the sheet to be detached. The carrier sheet 38 can be folded, as shown in FIG. 5, so that the sheet can be placed into pocket 18, as shown in FIG. 1.

In the preferred embodiment, the storage member 12 is preferably small enough to fit into a hobbyist's pocket or purse. However, it is contemplated that the storage member could be any size depending on the intended use. For example, the storage member could be of a larger size if the hobbyist prefers to carry his or her supplies in a briefcase or backpack. Further, if the hobbyist uses different types of adhesives, such as permanent and repositionable, the hobbyist could have two storage members of different color wherein each color is an indicator of the type of adhesive contained within each storage member. For example, a storage member which is green in color could indicate that the storage member contains carrier sheets having permanent adhesive segments, and a storage member which is pink in color could indicate that the storage member contains carrier sheets having repositionable adhesive segments. 

1. A kit for storing and organizing carrier sheets having adhesive segments disposed thereon, comprising: a storage member including at least a first compartment and a second compartment; and a first carrier sheet having a plurality of adhesive segments deposited thereon located in said first compartment and a second carrier sheet having a plurality of adhesive segments deposited thereon located in said second compartment.
 2. The kit of claim 1 in which the second compartment is located in front of the first compartment.
 3. The kit of claim 2 in which the first compartment is larger than the second compartment in at least one dimension.
 4. The kit of claim 3 further including a third compartment located in front of the second compartment, and said second compartment being larger than said third compartment in at least one dimension.
 5. The kit of claim 1 in which the storage member further includes a cover for protecting the first and second carrier sheets located in the first and second compartments.
 6. The kit of claim 5 in which the cover has a first opened position and a second closed position, wherein the cover covers the first and second carrier sheets in the closed position.
 7. The kit of claim 6 in which the material of the storage member has an inherent tendency to releasably secure the cover in the closed position.
 8. The kit of claim 1 in which the first carrier sheet includes adhesive segments that are of different size from the adhesive segments located on the second carrier sheet.
 9. The kit of claim 1 in which the first carrier sheet includes adhesive segments that have a shape which is different from the shape of the adhesive segments located on the second carrier sheet.
 10. The kit of claim 1 in which the storage member includes indicate to indicate the type of adhesive segments located on the first and second carrier sheets.
 11. The kit of claim 10 in which the indicate is color.
 12. The kit of claim 1 in which the storage member is substantially transparent.
 13. The kit of claim 1 in which the storage member is made from a flexible polymer.
 14. A combination of a storage member and a plurality of carrier sheets each carrier sheet having a plurality of adhesive segments deposited thereon, comprising; a storage member comprising a first panel and a second panel superimposed over the first panel and connected to the first panel to define a first compartment therebetween; a third panel superimposed over the second panel and connected to the second panel to define a second compartment therebetween; and a first carrier sheet having a plurality of adhesive segments deposited thereon disposed within the first compartment, and a second carrier sheet having a plurality of adhesive segments deposited thereon disposed within the second compartment.
 15. The combination of claim 14 further including a fourth panel superimposed over the third panel and connected to the third panel to define a third compartment.
 16. The combination of claim 14 in which the storage member further includes a cover for protecting the first carrier sheet and second carrier sheet.
 17. The combination of claim 16 in which the cover is integral with the first panel.
 18. The combination of claim 15 in which the cover has an open position that allows access to the first and second carrier sheets and a closed position wherein the covers is positioned over said first and second carrier sheets.
 19. The combination of claim 14 in which the storage member is substantial transparent.
 20. The combination of claim 14 in which the second panel is larger than the third panel in at least one dimension. 